The Arizona sentinel., 1887-11-26
CALIFORNIA MONKS.
The Foundation, Progress and Decay O
 Santa Barbara Mission.

| the mission which overlooks it is the first object that attracts attention. It occupies an elevated site at the head of the valley. and is clearly outlined against a background of hills. The church was begun in 17S6. and finished in 1922. In 1872, and again in 1914, it was nearly destroye by earth quakes. It was intended by Father 1 Junipero Serrano to build the Santa Barbara Mission long before it was really begun, but he died before doing more than select its location and con secrate the ground. From 1922 until 1888, when the act of secularization was passed, the building was the cen fer of great wealth and power. The 1 fathers were temporal as well as 1 spiritual rulers of the land. and their i church was the best and largest in California The walls were of stone, six feet thick, and plastered with adobe; the roof was covered with bright red tiles, and in the towers was hung trio of i Spanish bells. In the rear of the mis- sion the fathers had their garden-a shrub-grown half-acre, completely isolated from the outside world. From the west tower long l. extended at right angles to the body of the church, and facing this was an open corridor. I The Indian converts lived in huts, and the fathers raised large quantities of grapes and olives. When war was made upon the Franciscans, the Santa Barbara brothers were the only ones who dared remain at their posts. That they did so is due the excellent preser- vation of the old building. Time has changed it somewhat to be sure, but has mellowed and softened rather than destroyed. The stone steps leading to the facade are cracked and moss- grown; only one of the original six fountains is left; the Indian cabins have disappeared. A few Fran ciscans, shaven, and dressed in long. coarse robes belted at the waists, still inhabit the bare narrow cells, and loiter about inc corridors and garden, and re gular
 
 There was decidedly musty smell 10 the church, and both the visitors spoke ill whispers. Edith's guide showed her all the paintings, and gave the history of each-who this was done by and when, how it came to Santa Barbara, and other facts of interest Just beyond the choir were two small  chapels, each with its altar pictures and ornaments. and few steps from that on the right of the nave the father stopped before a high double door way, and began unlocking the heavy door. When he had thrown them open he crossed himself. and leading tine way, asked Edith to follow. Doing so, she found herself in walled in- closure overgr own with rank grasses and rose bushes. Above the doorway Filth saw three whitencd skulls set in the wall, while under the caves of the church, which projected upon thick buttresses, the swallows were fitting back and forth from their nests of sum- baked mud.
 This is our cemetery. senorita, '" said the father. at last.
 | Are the skulls real, ia ther?" asked Filth.
 1 'Yes. child"
 And are many people buried here?"
 "Oh, yes, very many. We do not use it now. There is not room, to tell the truth. You need not dig deep to find skulls and bones in here."
 It was not a pleasant thought 10 Edith to feel that she was walking over the resting-place of she knew not how many pious fathers and Indians. It was very quiet. A high wall com pletely hid the road to Mission Cam yon. and on the west was the church, above which rose the towers. There were several vaults, and each had its wooden cross and vines. Doves were cooing on the caves, and the swallows chatted necessarily.
 On leaving the cemetery the father and Edith returned 10 the church, and passed up the long nave to the altar, which was covered with snowy cloth, and decorated with tall candlesticks and other ornaments. Behind it, fill ing the end of the room, was a'wooden reredOs, elaborately carved, and hay ing fine life-sized colored statues before each panel. On either side of the altar, set on white pillars, were two other statues, and between them was large cross. with the Christ upon it. To the right E lith noticed curi- ously-shaped hat hanging upon the wall, which was covered with dust
 1t belonged to Garcia San Diego. the first Bishop of California;" said the father, when he saw Edith looking at it. His body is entombed here. as the tablet says. He was a patient worker and godly man. Would 1 could be buried here, in the very walls of the church I serve? ?'-Ed10Gr rds Roberts, iu Harper's Maqazins.
 4 FAMOUS EXPLORER.